George  Washington  Flowers 
Memorial  Collection 

DUKE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 

ESTABLISHED  BY  THE 
FAMILY  OF 
COLONEL  FLOWERS 


A  SERMON, 


PRJ3ACHED  IN 


ST.  LUKE'S  CHURCH,  NEW  YORK, 


September  ^5)  18  31) 


TAKING  LEAVE  OF   HIS  CONGREGATION 


BV  THE 

RIGHT  REVEREND  LEVI  SILLIMAN   IVES,   d!  D 

*  BISHOP  OP  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


NEW-YORK: 

PRINTED  AT  THE  PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  PHESfe 

MDCCCXXXl. 


At  a  Meeting  of  the  Teachers  attached  to  St.  Luke's  Church 
Sunday  School,  New- York,  the  following  preamble  and  resolution 
were  unanimously  adopted. 

Whereas  it  would  be  highly  desirable,  in  the  opinion  of  the 
Teachers  of  this  School,  to  retain  in  permanent  form  the  farewell 
address  of  their  late  beloved  Pastor  to  his  congregation,  whereby  they 
may  the  better  be  enabled  to  profit  by  his  salutary  and  parting  admo- 
nitions ; — therefore, 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  wait  on  the 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  Ives,  and  request  a  copy  for  publication. 

New-York,  October  3d,  1831. 

Right  Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, 

We  have  the  honor  to  present  to  you  the  request  contained  in 
the  preceding  resolution,  a  compliance  with  which,  we  are  convinced, 
will  not  only  afford  general  gratification,  but  also  materially  advance 
the  truths  you  intended  to  inculcate.    With  the  highest  respect,  Sir, 
Your  obedient  servants, 

John  Dowdney,  Jun.,  J 

L.  Saxbury  Waddell,  >  Committee. 

Chas.  W.  Van  Ness,  j 


My  Dear  Friends, 

It  affords  me  much  pleasure  to  accede  to  your  request,  made 
with  so  much  kindness,  for  the  publication  of  my  farewell  discourse. 
Although  it  may  not  possess  much  of  interest  to  the  general  reader,  yet 
to  those  for  wliose  instruction  it  was  chiefly  designed,  I  flatter  myself 
it  will  neither  prove  uninteresting  nor  unprofitable.  Committing  it  to 
Him  whose  blessing  alone  can  make  it  a  savor  of  life  unto  life,  1  beg 
you  to  accept  for  yourselves  and  the  worthy  and  devoted  body  of 
Teachers  whom  you  represent,  the  assurance  of  my  constant  prayer 
for  your  present  and  eternal  good. 

With  much  regard, 

Your  affectionate  friend, 

Levi  Silliman  Ives. 

Messrs.  John  Dowdney,  Jr., 
L.  Saxbdry  Waddell, 
Chas.  W.  Van  Ness. 


SERMON 


Acts,  xx.  32. 

"  And  now,  Brethren,  T  commend  you  to  God  and  to  the  word  of  his  grace, 
which  is  able  to  build  you  up,  and  to  give  you  an  inheritance  among  all  them  which 
are  sanctified." 

No  stronger  arguments  of  consolation  can  be  urged  at  an 
hour  like  the  present,  than  are  suggested  in  the  text. — Here,  the 
mind  oppressed  with  the  sadness  of  earthly  separations,  is  taught 
to  look  forward  to  the  enjoyment  of  an  eternal  inheritance  with 
all  them  which  are  sanctified, — And  in  the  pursuit  of  that  inherit- 
ance, to  consider  the  way  made  clear,  by  Him  loho  ordereth  all 
things  icell,  to  full  and  triumphant  success. 

There  are  trials,  I  know,  which  unsupported  nature  could  not 
well  bear, — which  no  earthly  philosophy  could  view  with  indif- 
ference, or  suffer  without  distraction.  Trials  calculated  to  ar- 
rest the  wildest  spirit,  relax  the  sternest  features  of  insensibility, 
and  expose  the  blindness  and  feebleness  of  human  reason.  And 
such  may  be  deemed  the  character  of  those  to  which,  as  pastor 
and  people,  we  are  now  subjected. 

But  if,  when  the  scenes  of  this  troublesome  life  shall  have 
come  to  an  end,  we  can  be  admitted  to  the  bliss  of  an  eternal 
state, — and  if,  amid  the  difficulties  of  our  way  thither,  we  are 
allowed  to  confide  in  the  sure  protection  of  an  almighty  Saviour 
and  friend,  where,  even  at  the  most  fearful  crisis  of  our  exist- 
ence, is  reasonable  cause  for  discouragement  or  alarm  1 

Beloved  Brethren,  did  the  present  scene  bound  our  hopes, 
there  would  be  much  in  it,  I  admit,  too  difficult  to  be  cleared 
up  by  any  theories  of  man,  or  revelations  of  heaven.  The  suf- 
ferings of  the  good,  and  the  prosperity  of  the  bad,  with  the 
unnumbered  mysteries  and  inequalities  of  human  life,  can  be 
explained  only  by  reference  to  a  future  and  better  state.  But 


4 


let  it  once  be  admitted  that  such  a  state  exists,  and  that  its  bless- 
edness is  open  to  the  attainment  of  all,  and  we  need  no  other 
ground  on  which  to  stand  in  our  expostulations  with  you,  to 
bear  patiently,  yea  joyfully,  the  evils  of  your  earthly  condition. 
It  is  enough,  therefore.  Brethren,  to  lighten  the  depressions  of 
this  parting  hour,  that  "  I  can  commend  you  to  God,  and  to  the 
word  of  his  grace,  which  is  able  to  build  you  up,  and  to  give 
you  an  inheritance  among  all  them  which  are  sanctified.'''^ 

I.  Our  first  proposition  then,  is,  that  we  are  the  transient  so- 
journers of  a  probationary  world,  destined  to  an  eternal  state. 

The  thought,  though  familiar,  has  a  striking  fitness  to  the 
present  occasion.  Though  oft  repeated,  and  oft  put  aside  as 
uninteresting,  it  now  pleads  with  the  energy  of  a  final  appeal, 
and  will  not,  I  trust,  be  wholly  unheeded. 

I  know  we  every  day  hear  that  we  should  live  for  eternity, 
and  almost  every  day  live  as  if  eternity  were  stamped  on  the 
present.  Yes,  I  know  that  in  the  lessons  of  almost  every  hour, 
we  read  the  uncertain  and  capricious  tenure  by  which  we  hold 
the  days  of  our  probation,  and  that  we  trifle  them  away,  or  mourn 
over  their  disappointments,  as  if  they  could  never  end.  But 
may  not  the  awakening  truth  that  I,  as  your  minister,  am  now 
entreating  you  for  the  last  time,  to  meditate  upon  the  realities 
of  another  life,  have  the  effect  to  fasten  upon  the  hearts  of  us 
all  the  solemn  lesson  of  our  immortal  destination  1 

We  are  strangers  and  pilgrims  on  the  earth;  ice  seek  a  better 
country.  Jin  inheritance  with  the  saints  in  light  is  placed  within 
the  reach  of  all  the  guilty  beings  of  our  race  :  what  characters 
of  vanity  is  the  thought  calculated  to  impress  upon  every  thing 
terrestrial.  An  inhe7itance  with  the  saints  in  light !  Alas !  be- 
loved Brethren,  do  we  know  its  nature  and  extent  1  Have  we 
any  just  conception  of  the  scenes  of  bliss  it  unfolds — have  our 
thoughts  yet  reached  the  summit  of  perfect  felicity  in  the  presence 
of  God  and  the  Lamb  1  An  inheritance  iciih  the  saints  in  light  ! 
Conceiv^e,  if  you  can,  the  finished  beauties  of  the  most  perfect 
landscape — the  refined  delights  of  the  most  exalted  society — the 
fond  endearments  of  the  purest  love.  Let  your  senses  be  re- 
galed by  the  sweetest  melody — your  thoughts  visited  by  the 


5 


loftiest  contemplations — your  souls  drawn  forth  in  the  most  holy 
and  transporting  service.  Let  new  accessions  be  made  perpetu- 
ally to  your  bliss ;  new  scenes  of  glory  to  burst  continually  upon 
your  view;  new  anthems  of  praise  to  raise  higher  and  higher  the 
pulse  of  your  joy  ;  and  then  let  all  the  sufferings  of  earth  at  once 
and  for  ever  give  place  to  such  a  state  of  felicity.  Conceive  of 
this,  and  you  will  then  have  but  a  faint  idea  of  the  real  bless- 
edness of  an  inheritance  with  the  saints  in  light.  Oh,  who 
that  has  a  glimpse  of  such  an  inheritance,  will  not  lose  sight  of 
every  thing  earthly,  except  a  preparation  for  its  speedy  enjoy- 
ment] Who  that  can  even  contemplate  an  eternal  weight  of 
glory  opening  thus  brightly  upon  him,  v^^ill  not  be  ready  to  make 
every  sacrifice,  and  endure  every  hardship,  in  His  service  who 
purchased  it  with  his  blood  ] 

What  heart  so  base  as  to  revel  in  sublunary  pleasure  ;  what 
desires  so  sensual  as  to  cling  to  mere  earthly  good ;  what  spirit  so 
perverse  as  to  murmur  at  present  trials ;  while  heaven  with  its 
glories  is  thus  within  our  reach  !  Brethren,  "I  hope  better 
things  of  you,  and  things  which  accompany  salvation."  I  hope, 
in  regard  to  many  from  whom  I  am  now  to  be  separated,  that 
were  their  faith  put  to  the  test,  it  wotild  bear  them  onward  at 
every  hazard  and  every  sacrifice  to  that  over-bright  inheritance 
upon  which  they  are  entreated  to  enter  "with  all  them  that  are 
sanctified." 

II.  The  text,  however,  not  only  presents  for  your  incitement 
this  glorious  prospect  at  the  termination  of  your  course,  but  also 
allows  me,  while  you  are  in  the  pursuit  of  it,  to  commend  you  to 
God. 

The  providence  of  God,  therefore,  is  the  second  topic  of  con- 
solation I  am  now  to  present. 

It  is  in  our  nature,  since  the  lapse  of  the  first  human  pair,  to 
fly  from  the  presence  of  our  Maker ;  to  cast  off  his  authority ;  to 
disown  his  protection,  and  to  keep  ourselves  as  distant  from  him 
as  possible.  Hence  it  is  to  be  looked  for,  that  to  some  of  my 
hearers,  the  consideration  now  suggested  will  administer  no 
comfort.  But  notwithstanding  this,  I  cannot  forbear  urging  it 
as  matter  of  encouragement  to  myself.     For  I  see  in  the  be- 


6 


iiignity  of  that  providence  which  causes  the  sun  to  rise  on  the  evil 
and  on  the  goody  the  only  hope  to  such  persons  of  rescue  from 
their  perilous  state.  I  see  in  the  continued  existence  of  the 
haters  of  the  Holy  One,  of  the  revilers  of  Lis  name,  of  the  vio- 
laters  of  his  laws,  of  the  despisers  of  his  grace,  the  merciful 
tokens  of  a  forbearing-  God,  whose  goodness  may  yet  bring  them 
to  repentance  and  acknowledgment  of  the  truth.  Although  I 
have  long  pleaded  in  vain,  and  must  now  leave  them  with  the 
melancholy,  the  mortifying  reflection,  that  my  words  have  ap- 
peared to  them  like  idle  tales;  yet  my  prayers  will  still  ascend  for 
them  in  hope,  as  I  commend  them  to  God. 

To  the  good  man,  however,  the  continual  providence  of  God 
opens  a  source  of  encouragement  and  support,  of  the  most 
animating  description. 

There  are  days  of  darkness  on  earth  which  all  the  lights  of 
an  expected  heaven  cannot  cheer ;  seasons  of  distress  which 
no  anticipation  allowed  to  man  is  able  to  infuse  with  tranquil 
and  enlivening  hope.  But  let  the  doctrine  of  divine  and  parti- 
cular superintendence  be  introduced,  and  the  pious  children  of 
sorrow  have  an  omnipotent  arm  on  which  to  lean,  and  the 
illuminations  of  infinite  wisdom  to  guide  amid  the  perplexities  of 
their  way. 

Yes,  friends  of  God  !  with  whom  I  have  taken  sweet  counsel 
— whose  interests  I  have  watched,  whose  good  I  have  often 
sought  at  the  footstool  of  mercy, —  to  you  there  is  a  legacy  of 
holy  peace  in  the  continual  benedictions  of  providing  heaven. 
With  what  heartfelt  confidence  /  commend  you  to  God, — All 
things  shall  work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  him. — I  ask 
no  more.  "  He  is  faithful  who  hath  promised  !"  I  may  never 
again  be  allowed  to  bear  the  words  of  comfort  and  salvation  to 
your  chamber  of  sickness,  or  to  the  couch  of  your  dying  friends 
— never  again  be  allowed  to  cheer  the  mourners  in  your  Zion, 
or  to  press  upon  them  the  lessons  of  mortality — yet  you  are 
not  left  comfortless  ;  the  voice  of  consolation  shall  still  be  heard 
in  your  dwellings,  the  lessons  of  wisdom  still  pressed  home 
upon  your  hearts, — God  will  provide.  That  great  and  good 
Being  who  keeps  you  in  the  darkness  of  the  night-watches, 


7 


will  be  your  safety  in  the  darkness  of  sorrow.  Thus  assured 
and  animated,  /  commend  you  to  God,  and  with  you  I  commend 
myself. — At  thy  bidding,  and  in  thy  strength,  O  my  God,  I  go 
forth  to  the  fearful  work,  "  O  let  me  not  be  confounded,  for  in 
thee  is  my  trust."  How  rich,  how  abundant  the  consolation 
flowing  from  the  faithful  providence  of  God  !  No  wonder  that 
apostles  could  take  joyfully  the  spoiling  of  their  goods,  that  the 
martyr  could  exult  in  the  midst  of  consuming  fires. 

But  the  providence  of  God,  though  continually  and  specially 
exerted,  does  not  work  miracles  in  our  behalf. — "  Thou  shalt 
*  not  tempt  the  Lord  thy  God,"  "  Thou  shalt  not  create  a  neces- 
sity for  his  interposition,  by  needless  exposure,  or  by  idle  neg- 
lect," was  the  lesson  of  divine  wisdom  which  fell  from  the  lips  of 
Jesus  as  he  exposed  the  devices  of  Satan.  Such  direct  inter- 
position is  rendered  needless  by  divinely  appointed  means,  in 
the  proper  use  of  which  our  present  and  eternal  good  may  be 
secured.  Not  only  may  I  commend  you  to  God,  therefore,  but 
also  to  the  word  of  his  grace,  lohich  is  able  to  build  you  up  and 
to  give  you  an  inheritance  araong  all  them  lohich  are  sanctified.''^ 

III.  The  gracious  and  effectual  influences  of  the  blessed  Gos- 
pel then,  to  which  I  now  commend  you,  is  the  third  argument  of 
consolation  suggested  by  the  text, — and  here  is  the  real  founda- 
tion of  all  our  encouragements  and  hopes. 

The  mansions  of  heaven  may  be  revealed  to  us,  the  good 
providence  of  God  may  be  engaged  to  defend  us  in  our  way 
thither,  but  the  most  interesting  question  of  all  remains  ; — how  is 
that  way  to  be  opened  to  us,  how  are  we  to  be  persuaded  and 
enabled  to  walk  in  it  ? 

That  sin  once  placed  an  impassable  barrier  to  our  entering 
heaven,  no  one  can  doubt  who  credits  the  word  of  God  ;  that 
our  hearts  are  naturally  averse  to  the  ways  of  holiness,  and 
naturally  insufficient  to  resist  the  enticements  to  sin,  no  one 
will  question  who  has  attended  at  all  to  the  lessons  of  his  own 
experience. 

But  all  barriers  may  be  removed,  all  aversion  overcome,  ail 
enticements  resisted,  by  resorting  to  the  Gospel  of  the  grace  of 
God. — This  word  of  his  grace  first  opens  the  way  of  reconciiia- 


8 


tion, — it  declares  good  tidings,  it  brings  the  message  of  favor  to 
man,  it  tells  of  blood  which  cleanses  from  all  sin,  of  obedience 
unto  death  which  magnifies  the  law,  of  justification  by  faith  on 
the  Son  of  God  who  bore  our  sins  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree  ; 
it  tells,  though  our  rash  rebellion  had  barred  heaven  against  us, 
that  a  new  and  living  icay  is  open  through  the  propitiatory 
righteousness  of  Jesus  ; — in  his  name  it  proclaims,  '*  I  am  the 
way,  the  truth,  and  the  life  :  no  man  cometh  unto  the  Father 
but  by  me." 

Thus  our  entrance  on  the  heavenly  course  is  made  clear ;  a 
full,  perfect,  and  sufficient  sacrifice,  oblation,  and  satisfaction  for 
the  sins  of  the  whole  world,  in  the  death  of  the  only-begotten  of 
the  Father,  has  removed  every  obstacle  to  our  advance  in  the 
way  of  immortal  life. 

But  the  nature  of  man  is  averse  to  this  holy  way,  his  natural 
powers  are  inadequate  to  its  arduous  pursuits,  his  soul,  un- 
changed in  its  affections  and  unwashed  from  its  sins,  could  never 
enjoy,  yea,  could  never  endure  the  felicities  of  spiritual  existence. 

Blessed  be  God,  here  again  I  am  enabled  to  commend  you  to 
the  word  of  his  grace,  for  that  word  invites  to  the  renewing  and 
sanctifying  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ;  by  that  it  is  able  to  build 
you  up. — Yes,  brethren,  to  build  you  up. — Naturally  your  soul  is 
in  moral  ruins — the  destroyer  has  passed  over  it,  and  left  in  his 
train  nothing  but  the  disordered  and  mouldering  fragments  of 
your  primeval  greatness. — This  temple  within  you  must  be 
restored — a  mighty  work  must  pass  upon  it — the  Spirit  of  the 
living  God  must  employ  his  energy  in  rescuing  it  from  utter 
decay,  and  building  it  up,  gradually  rearing  it  anew,  and  giving 
it  strength,  and  beauty,  and  perfection  ! 

"  Except  a  man  be  born  of  water  and  of  the  Spirit  he  cannot 
enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God."  "  If  any  man  be  in  Christ 
he  is  a  new  creature."  "  Ye  are  washed,  ye  are  sanctified, 
ye  are  justified  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  and  by  the 
Spirit  of  our  God  ;"  for  "  ye  are  built  up  an  habitation  of  God 
through  the  Spirit ;" — hence  "  ye  become  the  temple  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  the  Spirit  of  God  dwelleth  in  you." 

Beloved  Brethren,  let  me  leave  among  you  my  parting  testi- 


9 


mony,  to  the  infinite  importance  of  this  doctrine — The  doctrine 
of  conversion  to  God  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  "  shed 
on  us  abundantly  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour  !"  There 
are  errors  abroad,  I  know,  in  regard  to  this  doctrine,  errors  in 
theory,  and  far  greater  ones  in  practice  ;  but  depend  upon  it, 
they  are  not  wholly  confined  to  the  abettors  and  victims  of 
fanaticism.  Would  to  God  they  were  !  The  fanatic,  with  all 
his  bewildering  extravagances,  "  all  his  hay,  wood,  and  stubble, 
may  yet  be  saved  so  as  by  fire.''  But  what  hope  is  there  for 
him,  who,  in  his  panic  to  escape  fanaticism,  retreats  to  the 
cold  regions  of  dead  formality  ;  who,  lest  a  spark  of  enthusiasm 
should  light  up  his  affections,  excludes  from  his  religion  all 
sentiments  of  holy  love,  and  does  despite  unto  the  Spirit  of 
Grace  ! 

Beloved  Brethren,  let  me  entreat  you  to  beware  of  deception 
in  a  matter  of  such  vital  moment !  You  desire  salvation  ;  you 
would  not  fail  of  an  inheritance  with  the  just ;  but  to  enjoy  it, 
your  natures  must  be  renewed,  your  affections  aroused  and 
purified  ;  and  this  can  be  accomplished  only  by  the  ever-blessed 
Spirit.  You  may  without  him  seek  to  attain  eternal  life  ;  you 
may  cleanse  yourselves  from  many  outward  sins,  and  seem  to 
make  some  progress  in  hoHness  ;  you  may  stumble  on  for  a  time 
in  the  blindness  of  your  own  minds  and  in  the  feebleness  of 
your  own  strength  ;  but  if  you  would  gain  an  inheritance  among 
all  them  which  are  sanctified,  be  finally  admitted  to  the  presence 
of  God  and  the  Lamb,  you  must  be  built  up  by  the  word  of  his 
grace. 

Here  is  no  need  of  mistake.  The  religion  of  Jesus  is  spiritual, 
and  hence  must  have  its  foundation  in  the  heart ;  it  is  a  living 
principle,  and  consequently  must  infuse  life  and  energy  through 
the  soul ;  it  is  animated  by  the  most  spirit-stirring  motives,  and 
therefore  cannot  become  ours  without  kindling  in  the  affections 
the  fire  of  love  ! — "  If  any  man  have  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ 
he  is  none  of  his."  I  repeat  it,  in  this  matter  there  is  no  need 
of  mistake.  Ample  provision  is  made  for  our  being  on  the  one 
hand  savingly  affected  by  our  religion,  and  on  the  other,  pro- 
perly guarded  from  the  influence  of  fanatical  error ;  we  have 
2 


10 


only  to  follow  the  dictates  of  that  word  of  God's  grace  to  which 
we  are  now  commended. 

This  is  the  only  source  of  divine  illumination,  the  only  foun- 
tain of  spiritual  cleansing,  to  which  we  can  safely  resort. — 
Other  lights  we  may  follow,  other  means  adopt ;  but  rest  assured 
all  will  end  in  delusion,  except  it  spring  from  this  fountain  of 
light  and  strength  opened  in  the  Gospel.  Let  this,  however, 
be  your  dependence,  and  it  will  not  fail  to  build  you  up  and 
secure  to  you  an  inheritance  with  the  just  made  perfect. 

In  that  Church,  which  it  makes  the  ground  and  pillar  of  the 
truth,  and  to  which  it  calls  every  one  of  you, — you  may  receive 
the  adoption  of  sons,  and  become  inheritors  of  the  kingdom  of 
your  Father.  In  union  with  the  ministry,  in  the  cordial  reception 
of  the  doctrines,  and  in  the  faithful  and  spiritual  participation  of 
the  sacraments  of  that  Church,  you  will  not  fail  to  be  edified 
and  advanced  in  the  life  of  faith ;  your  soul  will  be  enlarged, 
your  affections  more  and  more  enlivened  with  grateful  love, 
and  your  hearts  made  pure  and  spiritual  and  heavenly  in  their 
desires  and  aims. — Thus  the  temple  of  God  within  you  will  be 
restored,  the  word  of  his  grace  will  build  you  up,  and  give  you 
an  inheritance  among  all  them  which  are  sanctified. 

You  see  then.  Brethren,  the  conclusion  of  the  whole  matter. 
You  see  the  plain  and  express  design  of  the  Gospel ;  that  it  is 
simply  and  solely  to  fit  you  for  heaven,  in  a  manner  calculated 
to  honor  the  holiness  of  God". — To  fit  you  for  heaven,  by  filling 
your  souls  with  heavenly  dispositions  and  desires ;  by  uniting 
your  heart  through  faith  to  Jesus  the  Mediator,  who  has  as- 
cended on  high,  by  establishing  through  the  agency  of  the 
blessed  Comforter,  a  holy  intercourse  between  the  soul  and  a 
reconciled  God  ;  and  by  a  daily  elevation,  through  a  faithful 
employment  of  the  appointed  means  of  grace,  of  the  thoughts 
and  affections  above  transitory  things,  towards  the  objects  of  a 
purer,  and  spiritual,  and  eternal  existence  ! 

Thus  commended  to  the  word  of  God's  grace,  which  is  able 
to  build  us  up,  what  new  attraction  is  given  to  our  heavenly 
inheritance  !  what  new  light  is  thrown  along  the  path  of  the  di- 
vine dispensations  ! — In  this  view  of  our  relation,  as  believers,  to 


n 


God  and  heaven,  we  are  bound  to  that  better  country  by  the 
firmest  and  most  mteresting  ties ;  our  welfare  becomes  entirely 
identified  with  the  honor  and  advancement  of  the  kingdom  of 
Christ,  while  nothing  can  occur  in  the  progress  of  God's  dis- 
pensations that  is  not  calculated,  under  the  sanctifying  power  of 
his  grace,  "  to  work  out  for  us  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal 
weight  of  glory.'* 

My  soul,  hush  thy  complainings,  cease  thy  troubled  thoughts  ; 
why  tremble  at  the  trying  fortunes  of  an  earthly  state  ;  thou 
art  already  the  citizen  of  a  better  world  ;  a  stranger  and  pilgrim 
here,  thy  home  is  above,  thy  treasures  at  God's  right  hand. 
"  Rejoice  then  in  the  Lord,  and  again  I  say,  rejoice  /" 

Fear  not,  friends  of  Jesus  !  ye  are  led  by  the  Spirit  o/God,  ye 
are  defended  by  the  word  of  his  grace.  Fear  not,  let  your  hands 
be  strong,  and  your  hearts  be  filled  with  praise ;  for  although  I 
feel  from  the  bottom  of  my  soul  that  the  pang  of  separation 
from  you  is  severe  indeed,  yet  with  a  firm  trust  and  joyful  hope, 
"  I  commend  you  to  God  and  to  the  word  of  his  grace,  which 
is  able  to  build  you  up  and  to  give  you  an  inheritance  among  all 
them  which  are  sanctified.''^ 

But  before  I  leave  you,  suffer  the  word  of  exhortation ;  let 
me,  according  to  mine  office,  bid  you  be  faithful  to  yourselves, 
your  Church,  and  your  God. 

My  heart  has  been  set  upon  your  salvation  ;  God  is  my  wit- 
ness, that  my  efforts  and  prayers  have  been  continually,  that  I 
might  build  you  up  in  the  life  of  faith,  and  present  you  at  last, 
justified,  sanctified,  and  saved  through  the  blood  of  Jesus. — 
God  be  praised,  I  have  enjoyed  some  tokens  of  his  blessing 
upon  my  poor  and  unprofitable  labors.  My  soul  is  humbled 
within  me,  that  I  have  not  honored  him  more,  but  my  lips 
would  praise  him  that  he  has  given  me  a  single  proof  of  his  ap- 
probation ;  that  he  has  acknowledged  me  as  the  instrument  of 
conversion  to  any  sinner,  of  edification  to  any  of  his  people. 

In  the  little  progress,  however,  that  we  have  made,  I  can 
distinctly  perceive,  beloved  Brethren,  the  connexion  between 
the  means  and  the  blessing.  To  preserve  this  connexion  is  what 
1  would  now  press  upon  your  regard. 


12 


As  to  the  doctrines  of  Christ  crucified,  to  be  believed,  you 
have  my  views  and  admonitions  already. — Now  I  am  particu- 
larly to  enjoin  the  things  to  be  done. 

In  the  first  place,  be  faithful  in  your  duties  to  God,  those 
duties  divinely  set  forth  ;  cultivate  in  your  souls  the  spirit  of  filial 
and  grateful  obedience  ;  never  seek  to  palliate  spiritual  sloth  or 
neglect,  to  shun  your  sacred  obligations ;  never  permit  the 
world,  nor  the  things  of  the  world,  to  interpose  between  your 
souls  and  your  religious  duty  ;  never  allow  yourselves  to  regard 
any  thing  as  needless  which  bears  the  high  sanction  of  heaven. 
Be  faithful  unto  God,  be  assiduous  to  ivalk  in  all  his  command- 
ments and  ordinances  blameless  ! 

In  the  second  place,  continue  to  he  at  peace  among  yourselves. 
At  peace  we  have  been.  In  this  respect  God  has  greatly  blessed 
us ;  our  hearts  have  been  as  the  heart  of  one  man  ;  our  voice 
of  prayer  and  song  of  praise  have  ascended  without  discord  to 
the  God  of  peace  ;  and  he  has  smiled  upon  us  from  his  holy 
habitation  !  Go  on,  beloved  Brethren,  to  keep  the  unity  of  the 
Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace,  and  you  will  continue  to  dwell  amid 
the  smiles  of  the  Holy  One  ;  but  should  you  fall  into  dissension^ 
you  will  fall  into  the  wide  spread  snare  of  the  devil,  for  with  envy 
and  strife  you  will  have  every  evil  work. — Be  at  peace,  then. 
Brethren,  among  yourselves  ! 

And,  thirdly,  let  me  exhort  you  to  give  increased  attention 
to  those  methods  of  spiritual  instruction  and  improvement  I  have 
introduced  among  you,  and  which  will  continue  to  be  acted  upon 
by  my  successor. 

The  Bible  is  the  only  fountain  of  truth.  In  the  hand  of 
C  hrist's  minister,  it  is  indeed  the  sword  of  the  Spirit — by  far  the 
most  powerful  and  effectual  instrument  in  turning  the  hearts  of 
the  disobedient  to  the  wisdom  of  the  just.  The  Bible  Class, 
therefore,  I  regard  as  a  most  invaluable  blessing  to  the  members 
of  a  congregation. 

In  regard  to  this,  suffer  me  to  record  my  testimony.  Past  expe- 
rience has  shown  me  that  no  other  method  of  preaching  is  equally 
successful.  It  is  the  way  to  reach  most  effectually  the  heart, 
to  awaken  the  attention,  to  impress  the  mem.ory,  to  engage  the 
powers  of  the  soul,  and  to  infuse  into  them  a  sanctifying  and 


13 


invigorating  influence.  Brethren,  I  speak  with  facts  before  me. 
In  this  assembly,  more  could  be  named  whose  concern  for  the 
soul  has  been  awakened,  and  whose  hearts  have  been  renewed, 
under  the  instructions  of  the  Bible  Class,  than  through  the  ap- 
plication of  any  other  means.  Those  who  have  neglected  it, 
know  not  the  blessing  they  have  lost.  Let  me  persuade  you 
then,  in  future,  to  give  it  your  best  attention,  your  most  fervent 
prayers.  And  with  it  remember  the  classes  of  instruction  for 
your  children.  Encourage  their  attendance,  and  in  all  things 
co-operate  with  their  pastor.  And  do  not  neglect  the  Sunday 
School  of  your  parish — sustain  the  hands  of  your  3'Outh,  who 
with  pious  zeal  have  devoted  themselves  to  this  holy  work. 
Leave  them  not  to  labor  alone;  but  by  every  means  in  your  power 
give  them  your  countenance  and  support.  The  blessings  of  the 
needy  shall  be  upon  you  ;  yea,  ye  shall  be  blessed  of  your  God. 

And  while  you  are  thus  diligent  in  promoting  the  spiritual  inter- 
ests of  your  parish,  keep  in  mind,  fourthly,  the  value  of  a  Mis- 
sionary spirit.  Cherish  it  as  the  spirit  of  Christ  !  You  can  hard- 
ly conceive  its  importance  to  your  religious  prosperity.  Experi- 
ence might  teach  you  something  of  this  importance ;  for  you 
have  not  been  backward  in  the  Missionary  enterprise.  The 
wretchedness  of  the  destitute  has  already  aroused  your  sensibi- 
lities, and  engaged  your  efforts.  In  what  you  have  done  for  the 
interesting  Mission  at  Green  Bay — in  the  self-denying  and  praise- 
worthy exertions  of  the  ladies  of  the  congregation  in  favor  of 
Diocesan  Missions  and  Theological  Education,  you  have  fur- 
nished the  best  evidences  of  a  Missionary  spirit ; — and  depend 
upon  U,  beloved  Brethren,  in  these  things  you  have  lost  nothing. 
On  the  contrary,  you  have  gained  much.  All  you  have  bestow- 
ed in  the  spirit  of  Christian  love,  has  been  so  much  added  to 
your  treasures  in  heaven.  I  have  now  to  entreat  you  to  com- 
plete what  is  so  well  begun : — not  to  suffer  any  diminution  of 
your  zeal  in  these  noble  and  well-deserving  enterprises  upon 
which  you  have  entered.  They  are  needful  to  your  personal 
advance  towards  the  inheritance  of  the  just. 

In  proportion  as  you  do  good  in  the  spirit  of  goodness,  will  be 
your  growth  in  grace,  and  your  meetness  for  that  kingdom  which 


14 


is  established  in  the  love  of  God.  Cherish  then  among  you  the 
•Missionary  spirit.  It  is  the  spirit  of  Him  who  said,  "Go  into 
all  the  world,  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature." 

As  the  final  means  of  your  prosperity,  beloved  Brethren, 
let  me  persuade  you  to  regard  with  kindness  and  affection  those 
who  minister  with  you  in  holy  things ;  "  to  esteem  them  very 
highly  in  love  for  their  work's  sake."  I  urge  this  upon  you  the 
more  cheerfully,  in  consideration  of  the  exemplary  forbearance 
and  regard  I  have  uniformly  experienced  at  your  hands.  No- 
thing more  could  have  been  asked — nothing  more  received  from 
a  devoted  and  affectionate  flock.  Memory,  while  life  remains, 
will  recur  with  unalloyed  pleasure  to  my  connexion  with  this 
congregation.  Oft  will  it  prove  to  me  a  most  grateful  solace 
amid  the  toils  and  anxieties  of  that  distant  scene  of  labor  which 
now  calls  me  away.  Brethren,  you  will  extend  your  affection 
to  him  who,  in  the  providence  of  God,  is  to  succeed  me.*  Con- 
fident am  I  that  he  will  be  found  worthy  of  it.  Although  he 
comes  among  you  comparatively  a  stranger,  you  will  soon  expe- 
rience in  him  the  devoted  friend,  the  assiduous  pastor.  Receive 
him,  then,  in  the  spirit  of  love.  Cherish  him  as  his  talents,  his 
piety,  his  fidelity  will  deserve ; — and  most  of  all,  be  obedient  to 
the  message  with  which  he  is  intrusted  by  the  Lord  of  Hosts. 
Be  true  to  that  Church  (here  I  need  not  urge  you)  which  Jesus 
purchased  with  his  blood,  and  in  which  you  have  the  happiness 
to  be  nurtured  for  eternal  life.  It  is  for  the  preservation  of  this 
Church  in  its  doctrines,  its  constitution,  and  its  holiness,  that 
your  minister  will  exert  his  influence  and  his  powers.  Co- 
operate with  him,  I  entreat  you,  in  his  noble  work — and  may 
God  Almighty  bless  you  under  his  ministrations. 

Thus  have  I  briefly  presented  what  is  to  be  believed  and  done, 
in  order  to  secure  that  blessing  here  and  for  ever.  But  remem- 
ber, that  you  are  to  do  all  in  the  name  of  Christ  ;  and  when  you 
have  done  all,  that  you  are  to  say,  and  say  from  the  heart,  "We 
are  unprofitable  servants,  for  we  have  done  nothing  more  than 
was  our  duty  to  do  !" 

*  The  Rev,  William  R.  Whittingham,  whose  praise,  although  a  young  man,  is 
already  in  all  the  Churches. 


15 


"  And  now,  Brethren,  I  commend  you  to  God,  and  to  the 
word  of  his  grace,  which  is  able  to  build  you  up,  and  to  give  you 
an  inheritance  among  all  them  which  are  sanctified."  But  oh, 
you  may  fail  of  that  inheritance.  Unnumbered  snares  beset 
you ;  unnumbered  evils  endanger  your  everlasting  peace  !  One 
only,  however,  can  shut  you  from  the  kingdom  of  God — it  is  a 
hard  and  impenitent  heart. 

Finally,  Brethren,  farewell.  I  go  to  do  the  will  of  God  ; 
perhaps  to  suffer  much  in  his  service — but  let  his  will  be  done. 
This  was  the  language  of  submission,  uttered  by  one  whom  we 
still  remember  with  tears — by  one  sinking  under  the  weight  of  his 
cares  and  labors,  far  from  his  home.  And  oh,  may  my  heart 
never  forget  to  respond,  "  God's  will  be  done."  They  say  I  am 
called  to  endure  hardship — be  it  so.  Let  privation  and  suffer- 
ing— let  hunger  and  thirst,  sickness  and  death,  be  my  lot ;  but 
oh !  my  God,  spare  me  the  misery  of  hearing  at  last  the  curse  of 
eternal  banishment  from  thy  presence  pronounced  upon  any 
individual  of  this  congregation  ! 


